The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, passed 27 to 0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

“It’s the beginning of a process of justice for a lot of victims,” Chambliss said after the vote. “A lot of victims have come to me, not just at the beginning but since this bill has been introduced, because of the publicity.”

The bill creates a first-degree crime of voyeurism, making it a Class C felony — punishable by up to 10 years in prison — to film or photograph the “intimate areas” of another person “for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of any person.” Without the latter purpose, the law makes the crime a second-degree, Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail.

Chambliss’ bill came after two incidents in Prattville last year where a man took photos up the skirts of two women in separate incidents at Lowe’s and Wal-Mart. A municipal court judge dismissed the charges because current state laws do not account for mobile recording technology.

“Currently, there is no law on the books against using a cell phone or video camera and of taking a picture of a lady’s skirt or private areas in general,” Chambliss said.

A person under the age of 16 who broke Chambliss’ law would see reduced penalties. The bill makes first-degree voyeurism by a minor a Class A misdemeanor. Second-degree voyeurism by a minor would be a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in prison.

Victims would have the right to have the footage returned to them, either to destroy it or pursue civil lawsuits.

“20 years ago, 10 years ago, not everyone had a video camera in their hand,” Chambliss said after the vote. “Now they do.”

The bill with almost no debate, though Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, urged school districts to educate students about this behavior, noting it has occurred for decades.

“We really need to get this out to the school boards,” she said. “This needs to be taught in the schools.”

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